How Larson’s confidence grew as the Chase progressed

On Sept. 2 in downtown Charlotte, Kyle Larson sat in a director’s chair under a blinding spotlight, faced a scrum of reporters, and said he didn’t feel as confident about his championship hopes as in years past.

It took four days for that to change.

“I really had no confidence, zero, before the Chase,” Larson said Thursday. “Hope but no confidence. I would really look at Darlington as the turning point of my confidence; I know we didn’t win, but I feel like we executed a really good day. We maximized what we had going for us that weekend and that day. 

“I remember leaving that race thinking, like, ‘Man, that’s the first time it’s felt like the (No.) 5 team in forever. We were calling a race to win.’” 

Larson, still winless, finished fifth in the Chase opener. It was his first top five at Darlington Raceway since the same race two years prior.

“I didn’t feel like we had been in that position for a long time, and we got a good finish, and I was like, ‘Man, if we can hopefully have some close speed and continue that, strategy calls and execution, we’ll see where it goes,’” he continued. “The following week was Gateway and again, felt like the (No.) 5 team. It felt like the (No.) 5 team of old, and then getting that win, you propel yourself up the points and you’re like, ‘All right, we’re legitimately in this now.’ It leads into Bristol, a track I know that we can go perform at.”

St. Louis’ World Wide Technology Raceway broke a 51-race winless drought for the reigning series champions. Larson went from seventh in the standings, where he had started the Chase, and 49 points behind after Darlington, to only nine out of the lead after two races. He took the point lead by one point over Denny Hamlin after Bristol Motor Speedway.

“So, it was like confidence was building really quickly,” he said. “But so often in my … career, you get all this confidence and boom, you have a crappy race, and you’re right back to square one. But we were able to build on it all throughout the Chase. 

“I think, too, when the (No.) 5 team is in contention, other teams can feel that pressure, and it seems they kind of caved into that pressure a little bit. But we stayed focused on us, and I think that was good.” 

Once he got the point lead, the hot streak didn’t stop. Larson won for a second time the following week at Kansas Speedway, and through the first six Chase races had a 2.8 average finish. His worst finish to that point was sixth.

Phoenix Raceway, the seventh race in the Chase, was the first time Larson lost points to his rivals. The second time was last Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, when the gap fell from 73 to 67 points heading into the finale.

RELATED: Hendrick team putting finishing touches on long-term Homestead prep

Larson can clinch the championship as early as the first stage Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He would become the first driver to win back-to-back championships since Jimmie Johnson (2006-2010) and the only other three-time champion in the series alongside Joey Logano.

Despite the large lead, Larson is assuming nothing.

“Well, I think the pressure and where it comes from would be like, ‘Man, you’ve done such great work to this point to put yourself in position,’” he said. “I would just hate for something crazy to happen to eliminate all the work that we’ve done to get ourselves in a great position where we don’t have to score a ton of points. So, I think that’s the pressure of, ‘Man, don’t (expletive) it up at this point.’ 

“I’ve kind of felt pressure – I’m sure all of us have felt some sort of pressure – leading up to the race, but for me, and I can’t speak for others, once I get in the car and put my helmet on, I completely forget about what’s at stake. I know it’s on your mind because you’re trying to execute a good day, but I haven’t really felt any pressure once I get behind the wheel. I’ve been like, ‘I’m going to do the best job I can, I know Cliff [Daniels, crew chief] is going to do the best job he can, and hopefully that’s a great day. But if not, it’s just racing.’ I think I’ve had that mindset when I get in the car, but you think about all the things outside the car.”